The Banner, Vol. 27 No. 8 - March 1, 1985

              Tuck: "The Honeymoon is Over
99
by Joe Pinkerton, Editor
There is a certain feeling of optimism that accompanies any conversation with Dr. Tuck,
CBC's not so new president.
After six months, Tuck realizes "the honeymoon is over" but is ready to tackle headlong
the myriad of problems facing the college. The
optimism comes from a sense that if anybody is
capable of stopping CBC's "downward spiral"
it is, indeed, Russell Tuck.
As Tuck ponders his short reign at CBC he is
generally pleased, noting that "we've gone
about as far as we could go in six months." He
also cites the enthusiasm of students, staff, and
faculty. The latter group, however, exhibits a
certain degree of skepticism, a feeling Tuck
hopes to overcome with his "revolutionary"
ideas.
But enthusiasm and excitement alone do not
solve problems. As new president, Tuck inherited a set of complex woes that, combined,
form a formidable barrier to the college's
future success.
Tuck worries that the "roller coaster" of student morale will drop again "If current level of
morale is not undergirded with substantive
changes on campus."
Of all the setbacks currently facing CBC,
perhaps the most grave is the recent decrease in
enrollment and the "planned defeat" that has
resulted.
When administrators  were faced with the
lack of incoming tuition this fall, a decision had
to be made — cut programs or go into a deficit
situation. With trustee approval and after "cutting all we could" the deficit move was taken in
order to assure a quality program.
In essence, administrators have gambled that
there will be an increase of 75 students next year
and another increase of 75 in the Fall of 1986.
The plan calls for a balanced budget next year
with enough profit in the 1986-87 academic
year to cover this vear's deficit, a plan Tuck
states "is not unusual for institutions."
Current budget projections are "amazingly
close" to fall projections according to a trustee
report submitted by Tom Hixson, vice-
president of business affairs. Only the future
will tell if the plan will succeed but Tuck adds
that the timetable isn't necessarily three years.
"The deficit might carry over."
When asked if the hoped for enrollment increases weren't unrealistic considering the current national situation and next year's tuition
increase, Tuck disagreed citing the beefed-up
admissions department, the new pastor's
scholarship, and a new feeling of cooperation
amongst California Southern Baptists as
possibly saving graces, "I'm not a Pollyanna"
concluded Tuck.
There are more problems at CBC but there
are also many good points. Tuck sees the best
of these as CBC's unique Christian environment and small size. The biggest weaknessess
Tuck sees are lack of curriculum offerings,
sports, and student activities.
But Tuck is adamant in claiming that real
changes are just around the corner. "I've never
been part of a program that wasn't excellent"
claims Tuck "and CBC will be no exception."
In discussing his move to CBC Tuck notes a
major cut in pay and some loss in a standard of
living. "I came here because God wanted me
here, and God didn't bring me here to fail."
No, he didn't.
Vol. XXVII
Issue 8
California Baptist College
March 1, 1985
What happened?
Trustees Arrive, Meet, Leave
The new board of trustees
of California Baptist College
met for the first time,
February 8 and 9 in the A. J.
Staples room here at CBC.
Major actions taken included the adoption of the 85-86
bedget, a salary increase for all
employees, and approval for
the expenditure of $50,000 of
Bold Venture funds for student life.
In the presidential report,
Tuck stated that he has been in
touch with the city about a
connection with the west lane
of Magnolia Avenue from
Palm Drive. He also introduced new Vice President of Student Affairs, Dennis Sheridan.
Tuck's main emphasis was
on the need for contributions
from major companies.
"We need a donor," Tuck
Stated emphatically.
The Student Life Committee brought a recommendation
before the board for $50,000
of Bold Venture money to be
allotted for student life. The
money will go to the areas of
"biggest impact on the
students." Areas considered
were the residence hall (dorms)
and the basement of the W. E.
James building (main
building).
Also recommended by Student Life were the details concerning a non-voting student
trustee.
The board voted on the
budget for the 1985-86 school
which includes a 6 percent increase for all employees. The
new budget, which is based on
an   expected   increase   of   75
students,    was    passed
unanimously.
Other recommendations approved by the board include
the granting
status to the
ministration
honorary degree for both Rev.
Dan Kong and Dr. Bill Hogue
(Baccalaureate and Commencement speakers for '85),
of   divisional
Business   Ad-
Dept.,
an
and a recommendation "that
the Office of Admissions . . .
report directly to the Vice
President of Student Life."
Also included in the meeting
were promotions for Dr. Don
Shannon, Dr. Robert Jabs and
Mr. Mack Brandon from
Associate Professors to
Professors.
What is a Trustee?
Each year of school has its
share of beginnings and endings. New people join us and
others leave. The life of a
trustee at CBC is much the
same. As one trustee leaves,
another takes his place - this
year has been no exception.
CBC has 20 trustees each
year. A trustee serves a four-
year term beginning in
January. Five new trustees are
appointed each January.
To become a member of
CBC's Board of Trustees one
must first be nominated, then
approved by the Committee of
Nominations under the
Southern Baptist General
Convention of Southern
California. The Committee of
Nominations has nine
members led by Chairman
Robert Langley of Long
Beach. The Committee recommends four names to be voted
on and later approved.
Once selected, the new
trustees are orientated at CBC.
They receive a tour of the campus and an overview of the
college's history.   In the dif
ferent sessions they meet and
discuss CBC from every
aspect. The newest trustees
can then feel more acquainted
with both the workings of the
college and the students.
To be selected as a trustree
one must be a member of a
church in California's
Southern Baptist Convention.
In order to keep a wide repr-
sentation of California's
views, no more than two
members of any association
may serve together. The Committee also looks for individuals who "can have the
biggest impact on the growth
and the development of
CBC," stated President Tuck.
The duties of a trustee, says
Tuck, are to "make policy for
the college, and give a long
term direction evaluation to
the President." The Board
also gives guidance to the
president in decisions. They
are not involved in the administrative decisions of the
college.
At this time, CBC's Board
See Trustee, pg. 2
Kellie Kirkpatrick registers surprise as Clancy Shehan looks on.
Sweet Homecoming
Kellie Kirkpatrick was
honored as the 1985
Homecoming Queen at the
half-time celebration of the
basketball game between
CBC's Lancers and Azusa
Pacific University's Cougars.
The five senior princesses
vying for Homecoming Queen
were Gaye Adams of
Anaheim; Jamie Brumage of
Camarillo; Debbie Hadley of
San    Ramon;    Kellie
Kirkpatrick of Thousand Oaks
and    Lou   Ann    McCoy   of
Fresno.
Gaye, the daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. William Adams, is a
psychology and physical
education major. Jamie, the
daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Lloyd Brumage, is a liberal
arts major. Debbie, daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. Marquis
Hadley, is a physical education and English major. Kellie,
the daughter of Bruce
Kirkpatrick and Aellene
Kirkpatrick, is a music major.
Lou Ann, the daughter of
Mildred McCoy of Fresno, is a
business administration and
political science/public administration major.
See Homecoming, pg. 4